Cop suspected of firebombing captain's home pleads not guilty

He remains lodged at the Middlesex County jail and has been suspended from the force with pay

By Sue Epstein
The Star-Ledger

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Dressed in green jailhouse scrubs with his hands cuffed in front of him, a veteran Edison police officer accused of firebombing his boss’ home earlier this week pleaded not guilty yesterday to five charges of attempted murder.

Michael Dotro, 35, a 10-year veteran of the department, is accused of using an incendiary device to start a fire at the Monroe Township home of Edison police Capt. Mark Anderko, a top aide to Chief Thomas Bryan, as Anderko and his family slept inside at around 4 a.m. Monday.

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Dotro, arrested Thursday night, appeared somber as he pleaded not guilty to the charges in Superior Court in New Brunswick. In addition to the attempted murder counts, he is also charged with aggravated arson.